West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-04-28

when the door closed upon the stranger,
and was again alone, or worse thar
alone, a feeling Of awe came over me
Clearly the storm had somewhat unstrune
me.
Only one hour till the train was due,
after which i could turn in for thG
night
A louder peal of thunder shook the
house, and fercer flashed the lightning
Minute after minute went by, and each
seemed an age. The roar and din of the
elements only deepened he gloom inside,
where the uncertain kerosene darkcned
the shadows.
Suddenly, 10 my overstrained nerves.
the ceaseless clicking of the wires seemed
10 say: Watch the box Watch the
box Watch the boX!' AS a particular
strain of melody will at times repeat itself
In the mind, and obstinately keep time
TO every movement, till one is well nigh
distracted, so this refrain began TO en-
chain every sense: "Watch the box
Watch the box! Watch the boxw Till
now my depressed spirits were due only
to the solitude and the storm. No sus-
picion OF evil or danger had tormented
me.
Peering more closely into the dingy
corner saw only the ordinary pine box,
with what seemed TO be a square paper,
or placard, on the side facing me. Prob.
ably the address, bungingly adjusted on
the side instead of the top, or else a stain
OF mud from the late rough ride. At all
events, ] was not curious enough TO APP
proach more nearly the ghostly visitant.
Then minutes had crcpt 10y, when a
mufiicd noise in the dark corner distinct
ly sounded above the pelting rain drops,
while, as If TO mock at my quickened
fears, the wires continued their monot-
onous warning Watch the boXl Watch
the box! Watch the boxm / did watch
the box, and as by inspiration grasped
the situation. There was indeed man
in the box but not dead one. A living
man, who had boldly lent himself to a
plot TO rob or murder me, perhaps both.
remembered the straggler who had
surprised me while at the safe several
hours before. He had doubtless followed
Colonel Holloway and witnessed the
money transaction. Quick and fast flew
my thoughts in the startled endeavor to
grasp some plan of action. Single
handed l was no match for any man, hay
ing recently recovered from an attack of
malarial fever. This one in the box III
indeed there were one) must mean 10 Sc
cure his prize before the train was due.
and escape the consequences. He must
have accOmpliccs, and these were doubt
less on watch, waiting either to give or
receive a signal. At least it was not
probable that he would undertake the
job alone, and the fact that he had con
federates had already appeared.
Perhaps the sight of my pistols had de
layed the attack. Perhaps some part of
their plan had miscarried and caused de
lay. At all events | must he cool. ]
fancied l saw his eyes through the dark
patch on the box. / was almost sure he
was slowly lifting the lid There was no
help near, and much might be done in
the time still to elapse before the train
was due.
Quietly walking TO the battery, ]
feigncd TO take a message. In reality
sent one TO the conductor Of the on-com-
ing express, as the only device whereby
/ could secure assistance, and this would
doubtless be too late. Yet il was all that
| could do lust now.
With every sense on the alert, / arose
TO secretc my keys if possible, when the
door burst open, and Frank Morris, my
future brother-in-law, rushed in, followed
by huge dog that was Ellen's special pet
aud attendant.
"Confound you =" said Frank, splutter-
ing about, and shaking himself as vigor.
ously as the dog. "I'll be blowcd If
ever | go on such another fools errand as
this"
"Why, you arc pretty well blowcd
now / said, with a poor attempt TO be
funny, but immensely relieved. 81 never
was so glad to sec anybody in my life ~
and meant it.
"There it is, he said; "make much Of
it, i" as he cleverly tipped little white
missive over to me. "Such billing and
cooling never want to sec again. Reg
ular spoons, by Joye! Can't 90 10 sleep
till she knows you haven't been melted,
or washed away, or something. And
Cato must come along 10 see that her pre-
ciOus brother doesn't get lost. Ugh
Lie down, over there, old fellowm Then
to me he Said: "Hcre, help me out OF
this wet thing"
But was engrossed, just then, and
ridding himself OF the offending garment.
the broad -shouldercd young athlete
strobe about in mock impaticnce
Heavens what nightw he ex-
claimed "What time does your train
pass2 Ten2 Just three minutes. / guess
III stay but well have that young dam
sci floating down here il she doesn't hear
pretty soon Hello, Cato! What's the
matterl" rs the dog gave low growl.
'Whats that in the corner, Bowen"
The dog continued to growl and look
suspiciously about as the young fellow
ratified on
THAT, " I said. "is q dead man."
"Humph !' he laughed. "Jolly good
company for such night ] say Bowen.
you've got O nice toy there, and he took
mp the pistol that lay on the table Mean.
while ! had scrawlcd ON piece Of paper,
which quietly placed near the pistol
"Thc man in the box is a burglar. BE
ready for on attack
"Ohoi that's the game ." hc said, aloud.
and instantly strobe across the room. as
Cato sprang up and barl<cd furiousy al
the box. simultaneously the top Of the
box flew up, and uttcring q shrill whistle
the man sprFug 10 q sitting posture.
while through the wide flung door the
other two ruiiaus appeared with pistols
cooked st once there began O deadly
struggle. The dog had lcaped upon the
box and knocked the "dcad" mans pis.
t0l out Of his hand. as Frank shouted.
"Isho, CatoW unwilling that the dog
should tear him to pieces, but wishing "a